Medication Non-adherence: Is Cost Connected?

Long-term management of chronic conditions is important but can be difficult for many patients. As a result, non-adherence can be common in this group. And although the advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments have grown and there are numerous options for disease management, agents such as biologics bring with them high costs to patients – which can lead to less utilization of medication, according to a review in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 

Do out-of-pocket costs affect medication adherence in adults with #rheumatoidarthritis? A systematic review – Value-based compensation and #PrecisionMedicine needed now to significantly impact on #rheumatology #healthcare outcome and costs https://t.co/76oftpFMdd pic.twitter.com/9gBngFbXlq

— Dr. Thomas Wilckens (@Thomas_Wilckens) August 8, 2018

In this systematic review, researchers aimed to determine whether out-of-pocket (OOP) costs affect adherence to RA medications in adults with a diagnosis of RA. Researchers used data from 12 databases to identify primary peer-reviewed articles, from inception to April 2016; the articles had to refer to the relationship between adherence to RA medication and OOP costs. Through these specific requirements, 6 articles were chosen and used in this review. 

Excellent work by MNM PhD student & supervisors. Keep up the great work. https://t.co/iFQySOutYL

— Lisa (@lisajkuhn) May 18, 2018

Results of the review suggests that OOP costs can contribute to non-adherence to RA medication in patients with RA. “Therefore, health policy makers globally should identify the appropriate OOP amount, so these costs do not affect adherence whilst simultaneously ensuring that costs are not an intolerable burden for governments, providers and insurers,” the researchers concluded. 

Phd student @monash_nm, Pari Heidari has had a paper published in partnership with @WendyCross19 and Dr K Crawford. "Do out-of-pocket costs affect medication adherence in adults with rheumatoid arthritis?" https://t.co/BpmMo9xEeg #futurenurseleaders

— MonashNM (@monash_nm) May 16, 2018

For more on RA, check out an article on the association of swallowing issues and RA. 

SOURCE: Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism